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Saccharomyces Boulardii Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Strong
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Very well tolerated; mild gas in some individuals
  • Fungemia risk in immunocompromised patients or those with central venous catheters (rare but serious)
  • Should not be opened near central line patients — airborne yeast can colonize catheters

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Antifungals (fluconazole, nystatin) — will kill S. boulardii and negate probiotic benefit
  • Antibacterial antibiotics — no interaction (S. boulardii is a yeast and inherently resistant)
  • Immunosuppressants — use with caution; fungemia risk in severely immunocompromised

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 1,000mg (20 billion CFU) per day

Full Saccharomyces Boulardii Guide

References

  1. Meta-analysisSzajewska H, Kolodziej M. (2015). Systematic review with meta-analysis: Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. DOI PubMed
  2. Meta-analysisMcFarland LV. (2010). Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients. World Journal of Gastroenterology. DOI PubMed
  3. Li M, Xie Y (2025). Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii as an adjuvant therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a meta-analysis.. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. DOI PubMed
  4. McFarland LV, Li T (2025). Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 for the treatment of pediatric acute diarrhea in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. DOI PubMed
  5. Ma F, Huang H, Tian K, Wang W (2025). Efficacy and Safety of <em>Saccharomyces Boulardii</em> with Standard Quadruple Therapy for Eradication of <em>Helicobacter Pylori </em>in Adults: Meta-Analysis.. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP. DOI PubMed
  6. Jiang YZ, Ma K, Cui C, Li ZY, et al. (2025). Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation to bismuth quadruple therapy on Helicobacter pylori eradication.. BMC gastroenterology. DOI PubMed
  7. Meta-analysisLiu LH, Han B, Tao J, Zhang K, et al. (2023). The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized controlled trials.. BMC infectious diseases. DOI PubMed
Show 4 more references
  1. Meta-analysisFu H, Li J, Xu X, Xia C, et al. (2022). Effectiveness and Safety of Saccharomyces Boulardii for the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Computational and mathematical methods in medicine. DOI PubMed
  2. Meta-analysisSzajewska H, Kołodziej M, Zalewski BM (2020). Systematic review with meta-analysis: Saccharomyces boulardii for treating acute gastroenteritis in children-a 2020 update.. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. DOI PubMed
  3. Zhou BG, Chen LX, Li B, Wan LY, et al. (2019). Saccharomyces boulardii as an adjuvant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.. Helicobacter. DOI PubMed
  4. Stier H, Bischoff SC (2017). [Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 influences the gut-associated immune system].. MMW Fortschritte der Medizin. DOI PubMed